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ASSESS GRAM STAIN MORPHOLOGY CONSISTENCY - QPD10
QPD10/QPD25

Gram stain is a commonly performed bacterial stain in clinical microbiology laboratories. It is often the starting point guiding microbiological workup and initial clinical diagnosis and therapy. It is important for medical laboratory scientist/technologist staff who read Gram stains to provide an accurate interpretation based on reaction type and microscopic morphology, in order to provide presumptive identifications and quantification of bacteria and fungi in clinical specimens.

Objectives

This study will help assess the effectiveness of educational and practical experience policies and procedures dedicated to the laboratory’s efforts in maintaining technologist skills in the morphological assessment of Gram stains. Participation in this study will help management assess the technologist’s ability to evaluate Gram stains using online whole slide images. These cases provide a standardized review and evaluation for each technologist. The study will help management meet applicable CLIA, CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, and The Joint Commission laboratory requirements for morphology consistency of reporting among staff and personnel competency requirements (testing previously analyzed specimens).*

Data Collection

A series of online, whole slide images of Gram-stained smears using DigitalScope technology will be provided to each participating institution to assess technologists’ ability to detect various microorganisms. Technologists will provide information about their work experience related to Gram stains, continuing education, and professional background. Information will be collected from each laboratory site about their continuing education requirements in microbiology and relevant laboratory procedures and policies releated to Gram stain assessment.Each technologist will receive their own kit and result form.

Performance Indicators

  • Individual technologist score (%) for each Gram stain case, and overall based on a standardized competency assessment method
  • Overall laboratory score based on the facility’s individual technologist performance(s)

Program Information

To meet your staff technical competency assessment requirements:

  • Result forms for up to 10 technologists (QPD10)
  • Result forms for up to 25 technologists (QPD25)
  • Multiple orders may be purchased to accommodate the quantity of technologists result forms needed.
  • Preliminary study reports are provided at institution and technologists levels.

Shipping Schedule

D Mailing: August 4, 2025

Additional Information

*Participation in this study helps laboratories meet:

  • CLIA personnel requirements (Subpart M, 42 CFR §493.1)
  • CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program Microbiology Checklist statement MIC.11060, Culture Result Reporting, personnel performing Gram stains for this purpose are subject to competency assessment; MIC.11350, Morphologic Observation Evaluation, the laboratory evaluates consistency of morphologic observation among personnel performing microscopic analysis (eg, stains, wet preparations) from direct specimens and cultured organisms at least annually. The laboratory director or designee must determine acceptability criteria for agreement.
  • CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program Checklist items: GEN.55500, element 5, Competency Assessment of Testing Personnel; GEN.55525, Performance Assessement of Supervisors/Consultants; DRA.11425, functions or responsibilities are properly performed by a qualified individual.
  • The Joint Commission standards HR. 01.05.03, 01.06.01 (EPs 3, 18, 19), HR 01.07.01, PI.03.01.01 (EPs 3-5), and LD.04.05.01, 04.05.03 (EPs 1-6) regarding in-service training, continuing education, competency, and evaluation of staff members

This is a one-time study conducted in the fourth quarter.

 
Select Q-PROBES and Q-TRACKS studies to support your quality improvement initiatives.
Preanalytic
Analytic
Postanalytic
Anatomic Pathology
Clinical Pathology
Turnaround Time
Patient Safety
Microbiology
Transfusion Medicine
Chemistry/ Hematology
Customer Satisfaction
Q-PROBES
Non-Physician Care Team Satisfaction With Clinical Laboratory Services (QP231)
Technical Competency Assessment of Body Fluid Review (QPB10)
Technical Competency Assessment of Peripheral Blood Smears (QPC10/QPC25)
Technical Competency Assessment of Gram Stains (QPD10/QPD25)
Q-TRACKS
Patient Identification Accuracy (QT1)
Blood Culture Contamination (QT2)
Laboratory Specimen Acceptability (QT3)
In-Date Blood Product Wastage (QT4)
Gynecologic Cytology Outcomes: Biopsy Correlation Performance (QT5)
Satisfaction with Outpatient Specimen Collection (QT7)
Stat Test Turnaround Time Outliers (QT8)
Critical Values Reporting (QT10)
Troponin Turnaround Times (QT15)
Corrected Results (QT16)
Outpatient Order Entry Errors (QT17)

*The CAP requires accredited laboratories to have a quality management plan that covers all areas of the laboratory and includes benchmarking key measures of laboratory performance (GEN.13806, GEN.20316, COM.04000). The Joint Commission requires accredited hospitals to regularly collect and analyze performance data (PI.01.01.01, PI.02.01.01). CLIA requires laboratories to monitor, assess, and correct problems identified in preanalytic, analytic, and postanalytic systems (§493.1249, §493.1289, §493.1299).






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